Presidential candidate and leader of the Democratic Rally party (DISY) Nicos Anastasiades yesterday highlighted the importance of the EPP- “the largest political force in Europe” and the largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament- agreeing to hold such an important summit outside of Brussels.

He noted that the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, 15 EU heads of state and government of the EU and 13 members of the European Commission belong to the political family of the EPP.

The summit is taking place at a very critical and decisive period for both the EU and Cyprus, said Anastasiades.

The main agenda for the summit will be the EPP’s strategy for the 2014 European Parliament elections and the EU’s multiannual financial framework for the period 2014-2020. Delegates will also discuss the EPP’s candidate to seek the office of the president of the next European Commission.

The DISY leader said that both during the summit and in private meetings he would have the opportunity to raise important issues related to Cyprus, “with emphasis on the solidarity we expect from our partners both in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and addressing the economic crisis”.

According to Anastasiades, the summit will be attended by European Commission President Josι Manuel Barroso, the Presidency of the EPP, and leaders of EU member states whose parties belong to the EPP, including leaders of the EU member states, such as the Chancellor of Germany, the Prime Ministers of Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and others.

Anastasiades said: “We are determined to utilise the bonds we have created in order to promote our positions and our proposals and assert a more auspicious, European future for Cyprus.”

He added: “The EPP has always been an ally of Cyprus in promoting our positions on the Cyprus issue and securing our sovereign rights in our Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Source: Cyprus Mail